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Ryan Lochte competes in the men's 100m butterfly at the 2013 USA Swimming Phillips 66 National Championships and World Championship Trials at the Indiana University Natatorium on June 27, 2013 in Indianapolis.

Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte attends the E! 2013 Upfront at
The Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Center on April 22, 2013
in New York City.

Ryan Lochte was one of the most talked about U.S. athletes during the London 2012 Olympic Games. In between winning five medals in the pool, Lochte went from approximately 140,000 followers on his Twitter (@ryanlochte) to 1 million. He then parlayed that popularity into numerous red carpet appearances, a trademark for his catchphrase “Jeah,” and his own E! reality show, “What Would Ryan Lochte Do?”

The former Florida Gator and 11-time Olympic medalist never gave up swimming, though. He plans to compete through the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, and he will compete at the 15th FINA World Championships July 19-Aug. 4 in Barcelona, Spain.

Prior to making his way to Barcelona, Lochte took the time to answer questions submitted by Team USA fans on Facebook and Twitter.

@KatherineMet4 on Twitter asks: What is your diet/food intake like each day?

6,000 calories a day. Lots of protein: eggs, steak, chicken.

Leslie C. on Facebook asks: What is your training schedule like each day?

Right now I’m doing a lot more drills and speed-oriented things for about 4-5 hours a day.

@RLochteForever on Twitter asks: Do you think you might keep competing past the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games?

We’ll see. Right now I’m focusing on Rio, and I’ll take it from there.

@Heather_Weiss on Twitter asks: How do you keep focused when a million other things are going on around you?

I’ve always been able to separate my training from everything else. I just know I have a job to do in the pool and I won’t let anything get in the way.

@kayjun on Twitter asks: Do you have a favorite meet to swim in every year?

Charlotte Grand Prix — I get to hang out with one of my best friends and I also just love the atmosphere there. It’s a good meet.

@heartinmyhand10 on Twitter asks: How much of what you do is “fun” and how much do you consider “work”?

Nothing is “work” when it comes to swimming. Yes I have to train hard and put in “work,” but it’s what I love to do. It’s all fun.

@Gotmyvi on Twitter asks: How different is it working with a new coach for world championships compared to working with coach Gregg Troy?

It actually won’t be much different. Coach Troy gave me what to do and I just bring that to the coach.

Annie D. on Facebook asks: When did you start competing?

When I was 9 years old.

Jackie G. on Facebook asks: How do you keep yourself motivated when you just don’t want to do something?

I remind myself that there are goals I want to reach.

Morgan C. on Facebook asks: How does being on Team USA feel, and how does it feel knowing you are one of the few chosen to represent USA?

It feels amazing. It’s an honor to not just swim for myself, but for my family and my country.

Bridge B. on Facebook asks: Who is the funniest guy on the team?

Cullen Jones.

TeamUSA.org asks: What would your fans be surprised to learn about you?